When the French high fashion brand Hermes decided to gallop into cowboy territory during the Paris Fashion Week, cowboy wear fanatics were quite happy. Loose, drop-crotch trousers and very silky ones too were on show and they were tucked in beautiful slouchy cowboy boots. Teamed with vests, some with scarves and textured shawls –this fashion show would make any cowboy couture fan happy. The collection is somehow a resurrection of the Argetine cowboys of old with an aim to conquer the most fashionable streets in the world.

The show, attended by a number of fashion editors and Hermes’ artistic director, showcased skirts swirling at mid-calf as well as intricate dresses made from genuine leather and other women’s wear that are drop-waisted and accessorized with silver chains. It’s not just Argentinian gaucho territory that was the inspiration of the fashion show though, the silver chains were of Spanish equipage.

The colors, although subdued were just beautiful there were beautiful blues and reds too though for those who fancy more life in their clothes.

Hermes never fails to impress and with the fashion show staying true to the luxury brand’s equestrian theme, mined some ideas from Jeal Paul Gaultier’s show a couple of years ago whose inspiration were also that of Argentine cowboys.

The brand started as a harness business in Paris and later on started producing other leather goods. Also known for its watches, the brand never failed to incorporate its expertise with leather in all of its products. It was only in the year 1922 when the French luxury brand started making its now very famous handbags.

After 175 years in the business, Hermes remains as one of the most influential brands in the fashion industry. Hermes also makes beautiful accessories both for men and women. The brand also has hundreds of designs for wearable clothes i.e. ones that aren’t made for the catwalk. 

Although the gauchos did not enjoy a popularity like that of the American cowboy in the early 1700s, their image slowly transformed from that of an unruly wanderer into heroes. The gauchos first fought against the Spanish Crown and then later on joined the resistance against the Spanish conquistadors.

The gauchos, according to history books would gather under the influence of a caudillo or a very charismatic leader. They were organized by this leader as if each gaucho was a member of a military unit. In fact, certain historians are quite fascinated as to how organized these cowboys were. The fact that they knew about the land better than others also gave them an upper hand in their fights.

Another thing that helped in the improvement of the image of the gaucho is the discovery of salt which resulted to a more economic use of cattle. During this time, cows were not only slaughtered for their leather but also for their meat as compared to the earlier periods in Argentina where the cows were only slaughtered for leather. Before that of course, the gauchos already ate cow’s meat. With gauchos knowing more about cows and other animals in the land, they became potential hired workers for the developing commercial ranches in the area. No one else could do a much better job than these Argentine cowboys making them a valuable element of the whole economic picture in Argentina.

The popularity of gauchos was short lived though and the gauchos were once again sent to the backburner. This resulted to the extinction of these individuals but coincidentally and rather strangely, their disappearance was the highest point in the history of the gauchos. By the time the story Don Segundo Sombra which tackled the life of a gaucho was published, the real Argentine cowboys were already a myth and were, according to accounts, nowhere to be found.

In the Argentine countryside during the early 1600s, the gauchos or cowboys of the area always struggled to survive. Aside from getting the meat of cows for food, these wanderers also hunted other animals for them to survive. By 1620, the gauchos became a focus of the government because of the economic consequences of the things that gauchos do. In the year 1715, the number of cows or what they call Cimarron in that part of the world became quite low. Blaming this on the gauchos, the government took action against the cowboys underestimating their potential altogether.

One would see how much disrespect these Argentine cowboys had to contend with unlike their peers in the New World who were known as heroes. Although these cowboys are known as gauchos, the term gaucho only appeared in the latter part of the 1700s with gaucho defined as a rough individual without manners who only traveled with a knife, his boleandoras and a lazo for hunting. Sometimes, the only baggage of a gaucho would be a woman –straddled behind him on his horse.

One has to note that in the beginning, when the word gaucho was first used by locals, not many wanted to use that name in describing these wanderers because it was derogatory. In fact, it was so derogatory that the government never used the term at the time. What is interesting during these times is that the gauchos also fought against the Spanish Crown together with the Criollos. In our world today, gauchos would be celebrated because they fought for freedom from colonizers but at the time, their reputation hit rock bottom.

The history of these cowboys is a stuff of legends and at one point in their existence they will come to be heroes that a person in the modern era would expect them to be. 

Photo via National Geographic

Wanderers of the Pampas –cowboys also known as Gauchos in South America have been known to be around the countryside of Latin America since the early 1600s. During this time, the flatlands were full of cattle or what the gauchos called Cimarron. The Cimarron was brought to the region by Spanish conquistador and explorer Pedro de Mendoza in the year 1538. This resulted to the presence of so much cow leather in the market and they were traded in Europe and in the colonies. With this said, one would already know that it was the leather that was of importance and not the meat of the cow. Since these animals were of no interest to other people once the leather has been taken, the gauchos would get these animals and cook the meat coming from it. The gauchos usually use an open fire to cook the meat because they were worried that the meat would turn bad. The habit did not help them get a good reputation though but eventually, grilling the meat the way a gaucho would turned into the asado –now a national pastime of Argentina.

Cowboys in the west have their chili or their beans, the Argentine cowboys had their asado. It’s not just the food that they make or have been making for centuries that makes the gauchos special though because they are the ones who knew about the intricacies of the land as well as all the animals that lived in it.  At the time, the gauchos also had to fight the natives. When hunting, the gauchos gathered in vaquerias –probably taken from the term vaquero of the Spanish. During these hunting trips, the gauchos would use 3 leather balls called boleadoras. According to some accounts these weapons are rock hard. The leather balls are also tied to a rope and are used to keep animals from running away from their captors. Later on, the gauchos of Argentina will cut the tendons of these animals’ legs using a half-moon shaped device made from iron. 

Raw sex appeal –that’s what man women think about boots in general and this includes classic cowboy boots, ropers, and the boots that we see in the runway. Whether you solely love classic cowboy boots or love all kinds of boots, having just one pair is never enough.

What kinds of boots should you have then? Here are a few of them:

Thigh High Boots

Channel your inner Pretty Woman ala Julia Roberts when wearing thigh high boots. Although these boots would usually look trashy when worn the wrong way, you can pull them off pretty easily by wearing denim with them or a short dress. Now be sure to get thigh high boots either in suede or leather  -getting something in pleather is never a good idea especially if you won’t be using them on the runway.

Knee High Boots

These boots are must-haves. They can be worn with casual clothes and add pizzazz to your outfit whatever outfit it may be –just make sure that the colors you will be wearing go with each other.

Ankle Boots

Ankle boots are great with shorts. They are great for daytime wear and will give you that trendy look too! Ankle boots with fur around it are totally in for spring and winter so make sure you have one pair of these.

Flat Boots

Women are fond of high heeled boots but sometimes, one just needs flat boots to wear with certain outfits. Flat boots are very versatile –they can be worn during the daytime and can be used for nighttime wear too.

Cowboy Boots

Unless you live in a city that uses cowboy boots on a daily basis, you should only wear cowboy boots when the outfit calls for it. A nice summer dress with a beautiful pair of leather cowboy boots is always a good idea. They go great with denim as well.

Photos via shoeperwoman.com, styletips101.com, 3wishes.com, polyvore.com, zappos.com, uhsecho.com, myshoesandyourshoes.com

Buying your first cowboy boots can be a romantic experience –it’s inexplicable why it is romantic actually but those who have already bought their first cowboy boots probably know how it feels when they purchased their first pair.

What makes the idea of buying cowboy boots so romantic? No one can give you a definite answer on this one but one thing is for sure, cowboy boots are surrounded with a lot of mystery and one has to admit, they are oozing with sex appeal too making them highly coveted items.

Although this kind of footwear was made for the sole purpose of protecting the feet of those who raised cattle and worked in the ranch over a century ago, cowboy boots are now a staple in the world of fashion.

Before you buy a pair of cowboy boots, you should consider the following:

Size and shape matter. Do not get cowboy boots that are too snug or else you won’t be comfortable walking in them. So before you look around for a cowboy boot design, you better find the right size for you first. Identifying the shape of your feet is also important. Toe cuts for cowboy boots come in various designs and sizes so before you grab a pair of cowboy boots, you should ask yourself if you are comfy with wearing pointy-toed cowboy boots or not. What matters here is what is comfortable for you and not the style of the boots.

The heel height. The heel height is important when choosing your very first cowboy boots. All cowboy boots are generally manufactured with heels for both sexes. The higher they are, the more difficult for you to walk in them so be sure to get a pair of cowboy boots with a heel height you are comfortable in.

Old Gringo: A Background

Since the year 2000, Old Gringo started focusing on using the best materials available with the combination of skilled craftsmanship. Although the brand is not as popular as Justin or other brands that are considered household names in places where cowboy boots are worn on a daily basis, Old Gringo is still making waves thanks to its beautiful designs and the comfort that Old Gringo footwear offers.

To Old Gringo, making high quality cowboy boots is the first priority because it cares on how its customers receive its products. Combining time honored craftsmanship and style, Old Gringo embodies quality cowboy boots without the incredulous price tag.

Old Gringo founders Ernie Tarut and Yan Ferry combined their years of experience in manufacturing leather to make superior cowboy boots making the brand one of the most trusted cowboy boots brand in the world.

But what makes Old Gringo boots special? Every pair of cowboy boots go through 110 steps performed by the best craftsmen from the company making the bootmaking process a very time-intensive activity which of course adds to the allure of Old Gringo cowboy boots. The attention to detail in making these boots is just amazing.

Another great thing about Old Gringo is that it produces and tans its own leathers –answering to the demands of the brand’s designers. The finest of leathers are chosen for every cowboy boot produced by Old Gringo that is why every pair is special.

Old Gringo Boots For Women

If you want a pair of Old Gringo boots in red, the Old Gringo Lauren Stud is a fine choice. For those who love intricate details on their boots, the Old Gringo Gaylarazz is a wonderful choice. These cowboy boots in brass is available in B-Mediium.

The Old Gringo Gaylarazz makes a fierce fashion statement.

The Old Gringo Gaylarazz photo was taken from Zappos

If you are looking for a pair of cowboy boots for women, you should take a look at these pairs from Tony Lama, Old Gringo, and Ariat.

Ariat Pink & Sassy Soule

This pair of cowboy boots is a collaboration between the trendy brand Gypsy Soule and Ariat. Aside from its fiercely feminine looks, it is also very comfortable. It features a full grain leather upper, an X toe, a heel height of 1 and ½ inch, a platform height of ¼ inch and weighs 1 lb 9 oz. 

Ariat: A Background

Offering leading performance footwear, Ariat is well-known for the comfortable shoes it makes. Each shoe that Ariat makes has outstanding support and comfort, they offer stability and are also lightweight.

Gypsy Soule: A Background

Gypsy Soule is a relatively young company formed in 2003 by two Texan girls. Offering uber cool designs, Gypsy Soule has made its name in the bootmaking business.

The brand also sells clothing and accessories. 

Tony Lama Flower Garden Vaquero

These Tony Lama Flower Garden Vaquero cowboy boots in sangria offers a cushioned footbed, a v-toe design complete with black welt, leather upper and distinctive stitching. It weighs 1 lb 5 oz, has a circumference of 14 inches, heel height of 2 inches, and an 11 ¼ inch shaft.

Tony Lama: A Background

Every pair of Tony Lama cowboy boots are made with high quality materials. Inspired by the spirit of the American West and its cowboy culture, Tony Lama boots puts attitude into every stitch. 

Old Gringo Lauren Stud

This Old Gringo Lauren Stud in red has a heel height of 1 ½ inches making it a very comfortable footwear. It has a smooth leather lining, a durable leather outsole as well as rubber heels.

Old Gringo: A Background

Old Gringo combines the best materials available as well as skillful craftsmanship making the brand a very popular one among cowboy boots enthusiasts.

If you are looking for a pair of cowboy boots for women, you should take a look at these pairs from Tony Lama, Old Gringo, and Ariat.

Ariat Pink & Sassy Soule

This pair of cowboy boots is a collaboration between the trendy brand Gypsy Soule and Ariat. Aside from its fiercely feminine looks, it is also very comfortable. It features a full grain leather upper, an X toe, a heel height of 1 and ½ inch, a platform height of ¼ inch and weighs 1 lb 9 oz. 

Ariat: A Background

Offering leading performance footwear, Ariat is well-known for the comfortable shoes it makes. Each shoe that Ariat makes has outstanding support and comfort, they offer stability and are also lightweight.

Gypsy Soule: A Background

Gypsy Soule is a relatively young company formed in 2003 by two Texan girls. Offering uber cool designs, Gypsy Soule has made its name in the bootmaking business.

The brand also sells clothing and accessories. 

Tony Lama Flower Garden Vaquero

These Tony Lama Flower Garden Vaquero cowboy boots in sangria offers a cushioned footbed, a v-toe design complete with black welt, leather upper and distinctive stitching. It weighs 1 lb 5 oz, has a circumference of 14 inches, heel height of 2 inches, and an 11 ¼ inch shaft.

Tony Lama: A Background

Every pair of Tony Lama cowboy boots are made with high quality materials. Inspired by the spirit of the American West and its cowboy culture, Tony Lama boots puts attitude into every stitch. 

Old Gringo Lauren Stud

This Old Gringo Lauren Stud in red has a heel height of 1 ½ inches making it a very comfortable footwear. It has a smooth leather lining, a durable leather outsole as well as rubber heels.

Old Gringo: A Background

Old Gringo combines the best materials available as well as skillful craftsmanship making the brand a very popular one among cowboy boots enthusiasts.

 Photos via Zappos

Cowgirl fashion doesn’t necessarily mean you only have to have a cowboy hat and a nice pair of boots. For women, handbags are essential and they should match their shoes. It doesn’t have to be an exact match though, just as long as the colors are not too far from each other, you should do just fine. Aside from bags, there are other things you should take into consideration like your accessories.

For those who are tired of dealing with cowgirl fashion and integrating it with modern stuff, it’s time to go grunge.

I have put together a photo of an outfit you can wear with your cowboy boots or ropers for that matter.

The Lucchese Amelia cowboy boots will look good with any tan or brown leather bag. Made from premium leather, the Lucchese Amelia has metal bead details on its adjustable leather straps. Its pull-on style makes it rather sexy too and makes it easier to put on and to remove as well. Women who love high heeled boots may not like this one though because it only has 1 inch heels but those who crave comfort in fashion, this is the right pair to have.

Frye’s Cameron Clutch Crossbody will do well with your Lucchese Amelia.

The Mark & James By Badgley Mischka V Neck is a great choice for the grunge chic. Although this is oh so dainty, pairing it with a nice leather jacket and leather boots will make it look edgier than it really is.

Do not forget your leather jacket though because this is important in your grunge ensemble.

You can also get your favorite brown sunglasses to go with this daytime outfit.

Other items to take into consideration are your accessories. Accessorizing is a good way for you to improve the impact of your outfit so be sure to have enough in your dresser.